London Mayor protests UK block on EU ‘safe lorries’ law

The mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has written to the British transport minister, Stephen Hammond, protesting British opposition to "safe lorries" legislation in the European Parliament that could save hundreds of cyclists’ lives every year.

The issue captured UK press headlines after six cyclists were killed on the British capital’s roads over just one fortnight in November.

“Boris Johnson has said directly to the government in the UK that he is deeply concerned at their view and attitude on this,” the mayor’s cycling commissioner, Andrew Gilligan told a press conference in Brussels yesterday (29 January).

“I am slightly incredulous that the government of Britain and other agencies are not on board with what ought to be a fairly non-controversial change,” Gilligan, a well-known former journalist said. He added that Johnson would fight for safe lorries "even if it means being against what his own party wants."

But Johnson has not yet raised the matter with the prime minister, EURACTIV understands.

At issue is an amendment to the EU’s weights and dimensions directive which could bring about what the European Cyclists Federation calls a “sea change” in HGV lorry designs.

By 2020, the amendment would mandate that new lorries be given extra design space – as a Commission proposal indicates – but only on condition that this is used for safety improvements, such as:

Bigger windscreens for the front and sides of lorries

A deflecting ‘round nose’ to throw cyclists to the side – as happens with cars – rather than sucking them under the wheels, as happens currently

‘Crumple zones’ or shock absorbers

New lorries would also need to emit 3-5% less greenhouse gases than at present from fuel efficiency improvements.

Pillar-box windscreens

Currently, lorry cabs are designed in a ‘brick’ shape that only allows drivers sight of the road through a large pillar box-style windscreen, creating blind spots beneath the lorry’s cab, and to its side. Cyclists are highly vulnerable to traffic accidents in these spaces.

Although lorries make up around 3% of road traffic, they are responsible for around a quarter of road fatalities. Between 2008-2010, more than 7000 lives were lost across the EU, according to the European Cycling Federation.

The Federation has now formed a rainbow coalition with groups such as the International Road Transport Union (IRU), Transport and Environment, and the European Federation of Road Traffic Victims to press its case that "mirrors are not enough".

Accidents typically happened when “a lorry turns across a cyclist’s path and they go under the wheels,” the one-time British Olympics cycling champion, Chris Boardman told EURACTIV. “When you know that, you would literally be negligent if you didn’t do something about it, particularly when the measures are all very clear.”

But France and Germany are thought to be decidedly unenthusiastic about the legislation, under pressure from lorry manufacturers such as Renault and Daimler.

British foot-dragging

The UK has also dragged its feet on the issue. A UK briefing document, seen by EURACTIV, says that “whilst we support improvements to [lorry] cab design to improve fuel efficiency and carbon emissions and road safety for vulnerable road users, any mandatory requirement for cabs to have a new profile should be supported by an impact assessment. As far as we are aware, there is no impact assessment to support such a change.”

The Liberal MEP Phil Bennion said that while the Commission had rushed out its proposal, the objection was “technical rather than substantive.”

Lorry manufacturer’s contentions that they were improving braking systems, was “welcome, but no reason not to have other improvements,” he added.

The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) has called for a moratorium of 15 years on new EU lorry design regulations because “redesigning the cab is an extremely complex exercise that requires development time,” and the product lifecycle of a cab is 15 years on average.

According to Bennion, a "workable compromise" in the Parliament transport committee was still possible but “we don’t want to wait for this to be brought in until 2029.”

'The wire'

The date the legislation became mandatory would “go to the wire” and be one of the last matters decided, he said.

Boardman, a record-breaking cyclist and three-times Tour de France ‘yellow jersey’ wearer pointed out that, as well as saving lives in the short term, making cycling safer would help the environment.

“If we reduce the death toll on the roads it would encourages more people to get around by using sustainable transport – cycling,” he said.

“The unintended consequence of this would be safer, more ecologically-friendly transport. I am really disappointed that the British government hasn’t recognised this.”

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The only thing of note we read across the European Union this week about the Mayor of London is how he is seem by many to have fraudulently won the Mayoral election in London two years ago by removing a Chrisytian Sign on Buses so as to pander up to the minority voters in London that swung the votes to him in a closely-fought contest.
This has now been tested in the Government in the UK and in their Upper Legal Area and it seems likely that the case will result in his being Impeached (thrown out of power within months.)

The only thing of note we read across the European Union this week about the Mayor of London is how he is seem by many to have fraudulently won the Mayoral election in London two years ago by removing a Chrisytian Sign on Buses so as to pander up to the minority voters in London that swung the votes to him in a closely-fought contest.
This has now been tested in the Government in the UK and in their Upper Legal Area and it seems likely that the case will result in his being Impeached (thrown out of power within months.)

The only thing of note we read across the European Union this week about the Mayor of London is how he is seem by many to have fraudulently won the Mayoral election in London two years ago by removing a Christian Sign on Buses so as to pander up to the minority voters in London that swung the votes to him in a closely-fought contest.
This has now been tested in the Government in the UK and in their Upper Legal Area and it seems likely that the case will result in his being Impeached (thrown out of power within months.)

I wonder why no one ever looks at how to stop cyclists putting themselves and others at risk, I see them go through red lights on a daily basis that is the ones that actually ride on the road, the majority seem to think that they should ride on the footpath and yell at pedestrians to get out of the F***ing way. Educating and prosecuting them would go a long way to making the roads safer, for cyclists and pedestrians.

Cyclists should be forced to take out fully comprehensive insurance after passing a cycling proficiency test. No insurance, confiscate the bike. Likewise, if they take their bike onto a pavement without dismounting.

These new proposals are being put out before the last ‘directive namely drivers CPC’ have come into effect and been analyzed as to their effectiveness has been worth the cost of implementation to drivers and employers.
The economic cost to the economy is a time bomb waiting to happen when driver shortages come into play in September, reason is older drivers resistance to being forced into classrooms to be lectured on techniques by younger less experienced persons who have been willing to study and lecture to get a qualification to allow them to earn more and get away from the rigors of driving among the masses of drivers with poor anticipation, road manners and observance of conditions

Only partially true Alex. As you sway there is no proof as yet that the CPC will make one iota of difference to HGV behaviour (responsible or otherwise).

Larger transport companies may see the benefits of getting their drivers through the various modules of CPC and may be prepared to pay.

On the other hand small companies with 5 to 20 drivers are saying that the drivers must arrange, attend and pay for these courses (in their own time).
An HGV driver who may only earn £350 per week is then faced with costs £500 – £800 depending on whether they need to travel and stay overnight.
As they say though we are both off topic.

Cyclists in cycle lanes swerving around badly maintained street furniture into the paths of traffic restrained by enlarged traffic islands for pedestrian safety without looking behind to see its safe to do so.
They pay nothing towards the poor road system that motorists are paying through the nose for as fuel duty is easy to collect. What people don’t realize is it all costs them at the checkout for everything they have to buy to exist along with 20% vat
CAUSE AND EFFECT are not understood by many of our leaders and campaigners but good publicity is all they understand and crave for.

Every where, these type of accident happen and people lost their life, every government make the rules for the heavy vehicles and how to follow the traffic rules and drive in a safe way to avoid the accidents. Transportation is a measure thing in every where, for the communication, most of the people use the public transport and how can they use in a proper way for the better journey is important.http://www.europeanmotorcarsalpharetta.com/services/

Now most of accident happen due to heavy vehicles and it’s a measure issue in every where, so how to control it in a proper way is important for everybody. In some places, government make rules for heavy vehicle and as per the rule, you can use vehicles. How to control heavy vehicle in traffic rules and drive in a safe way is a measure thing.http://monacomotors.com/services.htm

Everyone either it’s living in the UK or living in the some other region only consider the ease and comfort for the public. New law’s that’s better serve the public should be pass with the consensuses.http://www.emotorcyclesuit.com/